Brad Paisley Calls Out CMA for ‘Ridiculous and Unfair’ Press Rules for 2017

Brad Paisley is speaking out on the press guidelines the CMA is asking journalists to follow on the 2017 CMA Awards red carpet, calling them "ridiculous and unfair" and calling for the organization to rescind them.

In a tweet on Friday (Nov. 3), Paisley states, "I'm sure the CMA will do the right thing and rescind these ridiculous and unfair press guidelines. In 3...2....1....."

His public challenge comes just a day after the CMA raised an outcry by insisting that journalists who are issued credentials to cover the CMA Awards red carpet in 2017 refrain from asking artists any questions about their views on politics, gun rights or the Las Vegas shooting, adding that anyone who breaks those guidelines could have their credentials revoked "via security escort."

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The media guidelines were emailed on Thursday morning (Nov. 2). The unusual restrictions were put in place to allow artists to feel comfortable speaking to media on what is billed as Country Music's Biggest Night. Media members agree to those terms by accepting their credentials.

The guidelines read in part:

In light of recent events, and out of respect for the artists directly or indirectly involved, please refrain from focusing your coverage of the CMA Awards Red Carpet and Backstage Media Center on the Las Vegas tragedy, gun rights, political affiliations or topics of the like. It’s vital, more so this year than in year’s (sic) past due to the sensitivities at hand, that the CMA Awards be a celebration of Country Music and the artists that make this genre so great. It’s an evening to honor the outstanding achievements in Country Music of the previous year and we want everyone to feel comfortable talking to press about this exciting time. If you are reported as straying from these guidelines, your credential will be reviewed and potentially revoked via security escort. We appreciate your cooperation in advance.

A few artists turned to social media to lampoon the CMA's media rules for 2017, with Margo Price saying, "And people wonder why I'm not invited," while Ryan Adams took a potshot at the perceived norms of the country music genre.

The 2017 CMA Awards air on ABC at 8PM ET on Nov. 8. Paisley is co-hosting with Carrie Underwood for the tenth straight year.